Surgical Repair of Complete Congenital Sternal Cleft Associated With Pectus Excavatum

Area of Science:

• Congenital thoracic anomalies
• Pediatric surgery
• Cardiothoracic surgery

Background:

• Complete congenital cleft sternum is a rare condition.
• It is often associated with pectus excavatum, creating complex surgical challenges.
• Current surgical standards are primarily based on case reports and series.

Observation:

• A 13-year-old girl presented with a complete congenital cleft sternum and anterior pericardial defect, along with pectus excavatum.
• Surgical intervention was necessary to address these significant thoracic abnormalities.
• Preoperative imaging played a crucial role in accurately defining the extent of the defect.

Findings:

• A modified Ravitch procedure was employed for the surgical repair.
• The cleft sternum and pectus excavatum were corrected using stainless steel wires for defect closure.
• A pectus bar was inserted to provide structural support.

Implications:

• This case demonstrates a successful surgical approach for a complex congenital sternal defect.
• The modified Ravitch procedure offers a viable option for repairing cleft sternum and pectus excavatum.
• Emphasizes the critical role of detailed preoperative imaging in planning surgical repair for such rare anomalies.